Snow cover is still excellent in the Alps and Pyrenees above 1800 meters. However the week to the 19th of April saw positive temperatures up to 3000-3500 meters around 40cm of snow cover lost over the week.
The first major thaw of the spring caused an exceptional period of avalanche activty over the weekend of the 13/14th and five deaths in 3 separate avalanche incidents. Last week-end saw a return to wintry weather with 30 to 50cm of fresh snow. The colder conditions should help stabilize the snowpack.
We did a little tour of Chartreuse in the Northern Alps last week. Except in certain areas (Perquelin, la Ruchere) there is little snow below 1200 meters. However on shaded slopes above this level the snow cover is well above average. At 1500 meters there is between 70 to 150cm of snow depending on the mountain range. At 2000m there is 220 - 300 cm on North sector slopes; 40 - 150cm on south facing slopes.
In the Southern Alps there is snow cover from 1400m on shaded slopes and excellent snowcover from 1800 meters, approaching records in the border areas with Italy. There is 20-30cm of snow at 1500m on north sector slopes, rising to 120-160cm at 2000m.
In the Pyrenees the snowcover is exceptional apart from in the fast west of the chain where figures are closer to average. At 1800 m there is 50-100 cm of snow rising to 200cm at 2000m and 300cm at 2500m. In Corsica conditions are also excellent, there is still over 250cm of depth at Maniccia at 2400m and snow can be found at 1400m on north faces with enough to ski tour from 1500m for anyone planning a traverse of Corsica in the next days.
In the other French mountain ranges snow cover can be found from 1200-1300 meters. There is still some ski touring in the Massif Central. For example the Puy Ferrand above le Mont Dore was skied last weekend. see: http://streamzoo.com/i/11499899
Figures: Meteo France
